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Fletcher PhD Students

Student Publications PhD Program Alumni
Award ceremony

Fletcher’s PhD candidates come from around the world, bringing unique perspectives, a wealth of professional experience, and a diversity of interests to the doctoral program. What they share is a commitment to pursuing critical current issues through an interdisciplinary approach. They form a supportive learning network dedicated to academic excellence, adding to the diversity and energy of the Fletcher student community.

Student Profiles

With approximately 50 students engaged in coursework or research, the PhD program is an integral and vibrant component of the Fletcher community. Working alongside our world-renowned faculty, Fletcher doctoral candidates acquire the theoretical and practical skills needed to produce research that will help shape future discourse on international relations.  

Get to know our students’ stories, and learn how they plan to shape the future of international affairs.

  • Kwame Ababio (he/him/his)
    MSc, Environmental Governance, University of Freiburg, Germany
    BSc, Development Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
    Fields of Study: International Development and Environmental Policy; International Business
    Dissertation Title: Optimizing Carbon Markets in Africa: Bridging Theoretical Potential and Practical Implementation
    kwame.ababio@tufts.edu

    Maggie Adomako
    MGA, University of Notre Dame 
    BA, French & Linguistics, University of Ghana
    Fields of Study: Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs; Global Governance and International Organizations
    margaret.adomako@tufts.edu

    Zviad Adzinbaia 
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University 
    BA (Honors), Political Science, Sokhumi State University in Tbilisi  
    Fields of Study: International Security; Euro-Atlantic Affairs
    Dissertation Title: Fighting the War of Tomorrow: Gaining Advantage in the Fog of Disinformation
    zviad.adzinbaia@tufts.edu 

    Lima Ahmad (she/her/hers)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
    BA, Women and Gender Studies, International Relations, Bucknell University
    Dissertation Title: Afghan Youth, Violence and Resilience: A Multi-Method Study of the War-Affected Generations in Afghanistan
    lima.ahmad@tufts.edu

    Michael D. Anderson (he/him/his)
    MA, International Relations, Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Belgrade, Serbia
    BS, Electrical and Computer Engineering, United States Military Academy
    Fields of Study: International Security; Comparative and Regional Studies
    Dissertation Title: Narrative Warfare and Securitizing Contested Spaces
    michael.anderson671492@tufts.edu

    Dipali Anumol (she/her/hers)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University 
    MSc, International Relations (Research), London School of Economics and Political Science Integrated MA, Development Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
    Fields of Study: Gender and Intersectional Analysis; Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs 
    Dissertation Title: Sustaining Movements, Sustaining Selves: Practices of Care, Feminist Activism and Responses to Sexual Violence in India
    dipali.anumol@tufts.edu

    Joey Ching Aracena (she/her/hers)
    MA, lnternational Studies, National Chengchi University, Taiwan
    BS, Political Science, United States Air Force Academy
    Fields of Study: International Security; Comparative and Regional Studies
    joey.ching@tufts.edu

    Emma Bixler (she/her/hers)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
    BA, International Relations and Communication, SUNY Geneseo
    Fields of Study: Gender and Intersectional Analysis; Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs
    emma.bixler@tufts.edu

    Viking Bohman  (he/him/his)
    MSc (double degree), International Affairs, London School of Economics (LSE) and Peking University
    BSc, Political Science, Swedish Defence University
    Fields of Study: Comparative and Regional Studies; Economic Statecraft
    viking.bohman@tufts.edu

    Karst K. Brandsma (he/him/his)
    MMAS, School of Advanced Military Studies, Ft. Leavenworth, KS
    MPM, Georgetown University 
    MA, Webster University 
    BA, Gonzaga University
    Fields of Study: International Security Studies; Political Systems and Theory
    Dissertation Title: With Friends Like These: An Examination of Burden Sharing and Military Coalition Defection
    karst.brandsma@tufts.edu

    Ravi Shankar Chaturvedi (he/him/his)
    MIB, The Fletcher School, Tufts University 
    MBA, Asian Institute of Management, Manila, Philippines & Copenhagen Business School, Denmark 
    BA, Sociology and Public Administration, Osmania University
    Fields of Study: International Business; Technology and International Affairs 
    Dissertation Title: Estonia’s e-Residency Experiment: An Investigation into the Drivers of Success and Conditions for Scalability and Replicability
    ravi.chaturvedi@tufts.edu

    Kate Hua-Ke Chi (she/her/hers)
    MA, Economics, Boston University
    BBA, Business Administration and Economics, The George Washington University
    Fields of Study: International Development and Environmental Policy; Political Economy
    kate.chi@tufts.edu

    Nicholas Helldorfer Cicchinelli (he/him/his)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University 
    BA, International Relations and Russian Studies, Wheaton College, Massachusetts 
    Fields of Study: Gender and Intersectional Analysis; Public International Law
    Dissertation Title: Illegible Identities, Institutional Protection Gaps, and Invisible Harms: Examining the Effects of U.S. Refugee Status Determination Processes on Protection Outcomes for Sexual and Gender Minority Refugees and Asylum-Seekers
    nicholas.helldorfer_cicchinelli@tufts.edu

    Zheng Cui (he/him/his)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
    BA, International Affairs, The George Washington University
    Fields of Study: International Development and Environmental Policy; Technology and International Affairs
    Zheng.Cui@tufts.edu

    Amanda Current (she/her/hers)
    MSSI, National Intelligence University
    BS, Psychology, Truman State University
    Fields of Study: International Security; Political Systems and Theories
    Dissertation Title: Bridging the Theory-Practice Gap in the Cyber Domain: Assessing Alignment from Theory Application to Strategy Implementation
    amanda.current@tufts.edu

    Danielle Demers (she/her/hers)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
    BA, Mount Holyoke College
    Fields of Study: Human Security; Gender and Intersectional Analysis
    Dissertation Title: An Intersectional Analysis of Syria’s Captagon Economy
    danielle.demers@tufts.edu

    Amaia Elorza Arregi (she/her/hers)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
    JD, Complutense University of Madrid
    BSc, Politics & International Relations, London School of Economics
    Fields of Study: International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution; Gender and Intersectional Analysis
    Dissertation Title: Transnational Solidarity Movements as Mechanisms of Political Transformation in Protracted Asymmetric Conflicts
    amaia.elorza_arregi@tufts.edu

    Tarun Gopalakrishnan (he/him/his)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
    BA/LLB (Honors), NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, India
    Fields of Study: International Development and Environmental Policy; International Organizations 
    tarun.gopalakrishnan@tufts.edu

    Stuart A. Green 
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University 
    MS, Strategic Intelligence, National Intelligence University 
    BA, History, Boston University 
    Fields of Study: International Security; Comparative and Regional Studies 
    stuart.green@tufts.edu 

    Brendan Hales (he/him/his)
    MS, Defense and Strategic Studies, Missouri State University
    BA, Philosophy, Brigham Young University
    Fields of Study: International Security; Technology and International Affairs
    brendan.hales@tufts.edu

    Kenneth J. Hills (he/him/his)
    MS, Strategic Studies (Grand Strategy concentration), Air War College
    MS, Strategic Studies, U.S. Army War College
    MS, Military Operational Art & Science, Air Command & Staff College
    MS, International Relations (Regional Affairs concentration), Troy University
    MS, Aeronautical Science (Space Studies concentration), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
    BA, Physics, Boston University
    Fields of Study: International Security; Comparative and Regional Studies
    kenneth.hills@tufts.edu

    Siddharth Jain (he/him/his)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
    LLB, National Law University, Raipur
    Fields of Study: International Development and Environmental Policy
    siddharth.jain@tufts.edu

    Thaenpaavai Kannan (she/her/hers)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
    BA, International Relations, Mount Holyoke College
    Fields of Study: Human Security; Humanitarian Affairs 
    tkanna01@tufts.edu

    Ryan R. Kroells (he/him/his)
    MA, International Relations, Oklahoma University
    MMAS, Strategy and Operational Art, U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies
    BA, Global Studies, University of Minnesota
    Fields of Study: International Security; Comparative and Regional Studies
    Dissertation Title: The Unreliable Suprapower: Collective Defense and the Limits of Cooperation
    ryan.kroells@tufts.edu

    Emily Lagarile (she/her/hers)
    MA, English, Emporia State University
    BS, Systems Engineering, United States Air Force Academy
    Fields of Study: International Security; Technology and International Affairs
    emily.lagarile@tufts.edu

    Marina Lazetic (she/her/hers)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University 
    BA, Human Rights and Sociology, Bard College 
    Fields of Study: Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs; International Security
    Dissertation Title: “Migration Crisis” and Civil Society Response: A Study of the EU and the US Borderlands
    marina.lazetic@tufts.edu

    Lilly Min-Chen Lee (she/her/hers)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
    MA, International Studies, National Chengchi University, Taiwan
    BS, Biochemical Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
    Fields of Study: International Security; Technology and International Affairs
    min-chen.lee@tufts.edu

    Jared Miller (he/him/his)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
    BA, International Relations, College of William and Mary 
    Fields of Study: Comparative and Regional Studies; Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs
    Dissertation Title: Peacebuilders, Politicians, and Brokers: The Politics of Transforming Conflict and Power in Nigeria
    jared.miller@tufts.edu

    Ben Naimark-Rowse (he/him/his)
    MPA, Princeton School for Public and International Affairs 
    BA with honors, International Studies, University of Chicago 
    Fields of Study: International Security; Comparative and Regional Studies
    Dissertation Title: Dollars and Dissent: Donor Support for Grassroots Organizing and Nonviolent Movements
    benjamin.naimarkrowse@tufts.edu

    Soyoung Oh (she/her/hers) 
    MIA, Baruch College, City University of New York 
    BBA, Business Administration, Dongguk University 
    Fields of Study: International Development and Environmental Policy; Development Economics
    soyoung.oh@tufts.edu

    Diana Park (she/her/hers)
    MPP, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University 
    MA, Cybersecurity Technology, University of Maryland Global Campus 
    BS, Foreign Service, Georgetown University 
    Fields of Study: International Security; Pacific Asia
    Dissertation Title: Non-violent Civil Resistance in Authoritarian Cyberspace Environments
    dayea.park@tufts.edu

    Megan Zella Rounseville (she/her/hers)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
    BA, Economics, Denison University
    Fields of Study: Development Economics; Econometric Impact Evaluation
    Dissertation Title: Encouraging Behavior Change for Improved Well-being: Three Field Experiments
    megan.rounseville@tufts.edu

    Emily Ruhm (she/her/hers)
    MPP, International Development and Policy, College of William and Mary
    BA, Public Policy, College of William and Mary
    Fields of Study: Gender and Intersectional Analysis; Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs
    emily.ruhm@tufts.edu

    Gary J. Sampson (he/him/his)
    MSS, Institute of China and Asia-Pacific Studies, National Sun Yat-sen University
    MSSI, College of Strategic Intelligence, National Intelligence University 
    BS, Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska – Lincoln 
    Fields of Study: International Security; Comparative and Regional Studies
    Dissertation Title: “Arming to Threaten the Peace”: Enduring PRC-DPRK Ties, Chinese Alliance Management, and Why North Korea Became the First “Axis of Evil” State with the Bomb
    gary.sampson@tufts.edu

    Aditya Sarkar (he/him/his)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
    BA LLB (Hons), National Law School of India University, Bangalore
    Fields of Study: Comparative and Regional Studies; Migration
    Dissertation Title:  Politics After the “End of Work”: Rights Claims by “Surplus” Populations and the Negotiation of Political Authority in Small-Town India
    aditya.sarkar@tufts.edu

    Iris (Risa) Sobchak (she/her)
    MAIR, Pardee School, Boston University
    MA, History, Pennsylvania State University 
    BA, International and Strategic History, United States Military Academy
    Fields of Study: International Security; Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs
    Dissertation Title: Too Big to Fail: The Large Project Policy Failures of Nation Building in Iraq
    iris.sobchak@tufts.edu

    Kyle Stilwell (he/him/his)
    MA, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Advanced Military Studies Program
    MA, Columbia University, Teachers College, Organizational Psychology and Leadership
    BS, Political Science, United States Military Academy
    Fields of Study: International Security Technology; International Affairs
    Dissertation Title: Bombs, Bits, and Bots: AI Enabled Strategy Formulation for the Future of Warfare
    kyle.stilwell@tufts.edu

    Bethany Tietjen (she/her/hers)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University 
    BA, International Studies and German Studies, American University 
    Fields of Study: International Development and Environmental Policy; Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs
    bethany.tietjen@tufts.edu

    Antti Toivanen (he/him/his)
    MA, University of Turku
    MSS, University of Helsinki
    Fields of Study: Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs; Comparative and Regional Studies
    Dissertation Title: Safe Havens, Indifferent Hosts, Independent Decision Makers: A Comparative Study on the Role of the Cities and the Civil Society During the European Refugee Crisis 2015-2017
    antti.toivanen@tufts.edu 

    James Vansandt
    MA, Political Science, Université Catholique de Louvain
    BA, History, Freed Hardeman University
    Fields of Study: International Security; Comparative and Regional Studies
    james.vansandt@tufts.edu

    Andrea M. Walther-Puri (she/her/hers)
    MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University 
    BA, International Relations, Tufts University
    Fields of Study: International Security; African Studies
    Dissertation Title: Measuring the Effectiveness of U.S. Counterterrorism Assistance in the Sahel
    andrea.walther@tufts.edu

    Ryan Young (he/him/his)
    MBA, The Kelley School, Indiana University 
    BS, Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University 
    Fields of Study: International Security; International Legal Studies
    Dissertation Title: Civil-AI Relations: Understanding Opportunity & Risk in AI-Enhanced Governance
    ryan.young@tufts.edu

     

Awards & Fellowships 

Fletcher’s doctoral students have regularly received competitive awards and fellowships, including:

  • Social Science Research Council, International Dissertation Research Fellowship
  • Jennings Randolph Fellowship, United States Institute of Peace 
  • Pre-Doctoral/Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University
  • Doctoral Fellowship, The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation
  • Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship, Brookings
  • Eisenhower-Roberts Doctoral Fellowship 
  • Morris Abrams Award in International Relations
  • Vasey Fellowship, Pacific Forum CSIS
  • Graduate Research Fellowship, Program on Negotiation, Harvard Law School
  • Smith Richardson Strategy and Policy Fellowship and Pre-Doctoral Fellowship

Getting Involved at Fletcher 

PhD students participate fully in the life of the Fletcher School, regularly interacting with students in all of the School's degree programs. Within the PhD community, students play a leadership role, ensuring that program offerings meet their needs and interests.

PhD Colloquium

The PhD Research Colloquium is an opportunity for PhD candidates to share and discuss their ongoing research and receive supportive critiques from peers and Fletcher professors. The colloquium also offers sessions on comprehensive exams, proposal writing, the dissertation process, professional development, and PhD life. All current students are encouraged to attend and to take advantage of this opportunity to stay connected, network, and gain insight into the substantive tasks of completing the dissertation. A member of the faculty attends the colloquium, though students take the lead in coordinating many of the activities. Non-resident students are encouraged to join remotely.

Student Leadership

All Fletcher students are encouraged to play a role in governance of the School, whether on the PhD Committee, the policy-making group for the program, the school-wide Student Council, or on Fletcher’s Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

PhD Committee Student Representatives

Two students are elected each year to represent their peers on the Committee on the PhD Program, which meets several times each semester to consider issues critical to the success of the program and its students. The PhD Committee also includes the PhD Program Director, the PhD Program Academic Director, and other members of the faculty and staff.